Dorcha Lee: Is Israel trying to force Unifil out of South Lebanon?

No doubt there are people out there who would believe participating in peacekeeping missions is not worth a drop of Irish blood. However, peacekeeping missions have greatly helped contain regional conflicts from escalating into major wars, writes Dorcha Lee

If the UNIFIL report is true, and the IDF fire on the position was deliberate, it must be remembered that UNIFIL forces are obliged to defend themselves, if necessary, using minimum force, as authorised under Chapter 6 of the UN Charter. Picture: Defence Forces

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) on Thursday reported the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had deliberately opened fire three times overnight on Unifil positions. The most serious incident occurred at Unifil headquarters, resulting in two Unifil soldiers from Indonesia being wounded by IDF tank fire. 

If the Unifil report is true, and the IDF fire on the position was deliberate, it must be remembered Unifil forces are obliged to defend themselves, if necessary, using minimum force, as authorised under Chapter 6 of the UN Charter. It is a judgement call that has to be made by the commander on the spot.